Playground Maniacs is distributing several new lines in 2005.
Previously mentioned in our Blue Box coverage
are the Gothic (projected
MSRP $29.99) and Fashion Street (projected MSRP $5.99 to $6.99) dolls and
figures. Briefly covered in our visit to Art Asylum's offices are the
Little Apple Dolls, a UK import with a distinctive Japanese-horror
twist.

The Little Apple Dolls are the creation of artist and writer Urie
Ufuoma, who personally designs the prototype dolls and their costumes,
as well as illustrating and writing the story-books that accompany each
doll and explain their role in the twilight world known as the
Inbetween Place. These illustrated stories are being collected into a
single volume with added materials. The book is just one way that the
world of the Little Apple Dolls is expanding. Apparel items such as
bags, buttons, and patches are in the works. As for the dolls
themselves, the UK distributor Underground Toys will determine whether
there will be separately sold fashions for the Little Apple Dolls.

Items on display in Playground Maniacs booth included:

Original prototypes by Urie Ufuoma for Irae (with hand-embroided
kimono) and Animula (knitted cap subject to change to make it look
"more beanie-like")

Giant versions of Mentis, Irae, and an unnamed doll with painted
red mask that will be exclusive to Playground Maniacs. These
giant-sized doll things are created by Urie Ufuoma using child
mannequins, which have their heads removed and their hair burned off.
Using this blank slate as a canvas, a mask is screwed on, a wig is
attached, and clothing is hand-crafted to fit the character and
backstory of the doll.

In addition to the aforementioned four dolls, there will be two
dolls exclusive to specific vendors. A doll in
Alice-in-Wonderland-style blue dress (reportedly inspired by a recent
Gwen Stefani video) will be available at Hot Topic. Unfortunately, this
doll went missing while on display at Art Asylum and Little Apple
Dolls' Joint Toy Fair Party, so the only available photos are of her
appearance at the Art Asylum office.

A darkly gothic doll with black artificial roses in her hair will be
unique to Diamond and Forbidden Planet. These will be released earlier
than the Playground Maniacs exclusive, and will not come with the
special secret item that the rest of the Series Two Little Apple Dolls
will have.

Plans for Series Three are still up in the air. There were
initially hopes that the third series would be entirely male, to
balance out the girl-heavy first and second series. However, it seems
increasingly likely that the third series will have one male, at most,
as male dolls in female doll lines tend to sell poorly. Just as
retailers are hesitant to carry female action figures, due to a fear
that "boys don't want to buy girls", there is a reluctance to have male
"dolls". However, the world of Little Apple Dolls definitely has room
for male characters... let's hope that with time, we'll be able to meet
them all!